2024 The eighth Asian Microbiome Conference

2023 The Seventh Asian Microbiome Conference

On January 27, 2024, the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University Hospital, and BIOTOOLS co-hosted the "8th Asia Microbiome Conference (AMC)."

This year, the conference was chaired by Dr. Ming-Shiang Wu, the superintendent of National Taiwan University Hospital. The event also featured Dr. Deng-Chyang Wu, Vice President of Kaohsiung Medical University, Dr. Yen-Hsuan Ni, Dean of the National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Professor Sung-Liang Yu from the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology at National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, and Dr. Sen-Lin Tang from the Institute of Biodiversity Research Center at Academia Sinica as moderators. The conference invited 19 experts in the field of microbiology to discuss diverse topics such as microbiome multi-omics, emerging technologies in research applications, marine microbiota, and sustainable development.

During Dr. Wu's presentation, he led discussions on six significant trends in microbiome research. Firstly, he addressed the shift from pathogenic correlation towards causal analysis challenges, emphasizing the complexity of causative analysis using different factors. He highlighted the latest research methods, including the application of germ-free mice and emerging models such as in vitro co-culture models, to better understand causal relationships.

Secondly, Dr. Wu elaborated on the transition from genomics to multi-omics, emphasizing the importance of multi-omics in comprehensively understanding biological and pathological phenomena. He pointed out that utilizing multi-omics to analyze the gut ecosystem and predicting diseases through time-series microbial changes can enhance proactive defense strategies.

Dr. Wu also delved the trend of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shifting towards microbial drug development, noting the potential efficacy of gut bacteria in treating various diseases. However, he mentioned potential risks associated with FMT, including implantation risks in immunocompromised patients and unresolved issues such as optimal donor matching, transmission methods, and undisclosed mechanisms.

Furthermore, Dr. Wu discussed the progress of FMT towards live bacterial therapy and the challenges it faces, such as stabilizing product quality and complying with regulatory standards. He highlighted the growing importance of viral and fungal components in the microbiome, indicating ongoing research that contributes to understanding the complex interactions among bacteria, viruses, fungi, and their hosts.

Finally, Dr. Wu emphasized that understanding and effectively regulating the state of the microbiome within the body are essential for precision medicine and health. He provided examples, such as the potential impact of cancer cell microbiota on treatment mechanisms. Dr. Wu also advocated for the importance of utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze big data, aiding in a deeper understanding of the roles different microbiomes play in disease prevention and treatment.

In this captivating forum, Dr. Wu Ming-Xian's insights took us deep the mysteries of the microbiome, exploring its significance and developmental directions in the fields of medicine and health. The audience was encouraged to participate and collectively embrace the new era of microbiome research.